Success stories

Defence to Singapore

Trends and opportunities

The Market

Singapore's defence philosophy is not predicated on an existing external
threat, instead, defence expenditure is designed to enhance deterrence
capability.

Singapore's defence budget (approx. $A13.86 billion for 2017/18 financial
year, which is an increase of 2.7 per cent from previous FY) is capped at 6 per
cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) annually. Of these, $A13.28
billion or 95.8 per cent is for operating expenditure and the balance of $580
million or 4.2 per cent is for development expenditure.

Investments are made in:

technology

capital acquisition

realistic training exercises

In these areas, defence technology is highly emphasised, and priority is
given to this to offset Singapore's smaller population and geographical
depth. The clear direction of Singapore's defence capability is towards
advanced technology.

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), under the purview of the Ministry of
Defence (MINDEF), is structured to maximise firepower and sustainability,
and is highly integrated e.g the army, navy and air force are linked via
advanced data-links and networks to enable coordinated attacks and support
for various units and forces. This is known in Singapore parlance as third
generation network-centric warfare. MINDEF has a directorate known as the
Future Systems Directorate, which is tasked to develop and implement future
network-centric warfare capabilities and enhancing future battlefield
command and control. Presently, the country has a standing force of
approximately 71,000 active servicemen and women, and 1,386,000 million
reservists.

For the SAF to fulfil its operational mission, it deploys the latest
state-of-the-art defence systems, where feasible and cost-effective.
However, new and sophisticated equipment is not always acquired. Where
possible, old equipment is upgraded. The SAF is also developing new capabilities e.g heavy airlift support and high mobility
all terrain infantry and logistics support capabilities. This has resulted
in the acquisitions of the Boeing Chinook CH-47D helicopters and the
indigenous development of the armoured infantry fighting vehicle, codenamed
Terrex, for example.

The SAF has acquired in recent years the following platforms and weapons systems:

The acquisition of these new systems by the SAF is supported by the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) and SGX-listed Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd (STE). DSTA was corporatised in April 2000 and its activities include:

acquisition of weapon systems

advising SAF on all defence science and technology matters

managing defence research and development

developing defence infrastructure

implementing defence technology policies and plans

DSTA is continually identifying promising technologies in line with SAF's
long-term planning of their operational needs. Once the options are
selected and are found to be feasible, this is then expanded into technical
specifications, which leads to new systems or capabilities, either
developed in-house or contracted out to external suppliers. It should be
noted that the SAF is increasingly moving towards commercial-off-the-shelf
products/systems for better cost management/control and for longer through-life support.

STE is a highly diversified government-owned company established to provide
an in-country defence industrial capability, so that the SAF can be
self-reliant in essential defence materials and facilities. Through
industrial co-operation or joint ventures with overseas defence
contractors, STE has developed a credible defence industrial base, covering
air engineering products and services, shipbuilding and repairs,
automotive/munitions and weapons manufacturing, and
electronics/communications engineering.

Declining birth rates will result in the reduction of Singapore's national
service intake. To counter the impact of this decline, the SAF focuses on:

Leveraging technology to transform the SAF into the third generation networked-centric fighting force to enable ‘multiplier effect’ to its firepower.

Being a more tightly integrated fighting force, comprising of smaller units but better equipped with enhanced firepower.

Having increasingly better educated service personnel who will be able to handle more technologically-advanced weapon systems.

Contracting out support capabilities such as catering and maintenance.

Having an accelerated program of computerisation and automation.

The SAF will also have to adjust further to reduced operational areas, as land is diverted to other national development priorities. For example, the army's training area has shrunk from 200 square kilometers to about 70 square kilometers over the last decade.

Opportunities

As Singapore has limited labour resources, land, sea and air space, high technology systems and equipment are required to act as a ‘force-multiplier’ (ie. increase the firepower/personal protection) for the SAF. Emphasis is placed on developing or acquiring the following technologies to enhance this:

stand-off precision technology

protection technology

stealth technology

unmanned technology

superiority through information and communications

enhanced lift and endurance technology

Besides these, the SAF is also looking into harnessing higher
firepower/personal protection per soldier. Simulators, advanced computer
modelling, and computer-assisted wargame systems will be extensively used
to compensate for the lack of training space.

The SAF is also looking into other areas such as:

Sensors, in particular:

low cost networked sensors

high fidelity location tracking (indoor/outdoor)

gunshot detection and localisation

lightweight and portable sensors

Energy, in particular:

Portable power systems

Advanced photovoltaic fuel cells and energy storage systems

Micro power sources

Self-sustaining energy systems

Communications, in particular:

Robust wireless communications

Cognitive radios

Secure and directed techniques

High bit-rate and low-bit error techniques

Technologies to enhance survivability, in particular:

Lightweight, flexible materials and designs

Signature and heat management techniques and materials

Robotics and unmanned technologies, in particular:

Guidance, navigation and control systems

Co-operative network-centric operations

Innovative and low cost systems

Information technologies, in particular:

Network security, efficiency and robustness

Data mining, cognitive computing and sense making

Planning and decision support

Modelling and information visualisation

3D simulation and war gaming

Competitive environment

Singapore’s traditional defence sources for major assets e.g. missile
systems, aircraft such as F-16/F-15 fighters, are mainly from USA, Europe
and Israel.

A strong Australia-Singapore defence relationship via numerous bilateral
training arrangements and also expansion of the training base facilities in
Australia through the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership helps provide
visibility to Australian services and technology capabilities, which can
give Australian providers the edge in a highly competitive industry sector.

Tariffs, regulations and customs

Singapore is virtually a free port, with no or very low tariffs on imported
goods.

The only dutiable items are petroleum products, intoxicating liquors, motor
vehicles and tobacco.

Defence-related products for use by the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), or
other related security organisations, are exempted from dutiable tax.

A
Goods and Services Tax
(GST) is imposed on imported goods. The tax is calculated on the CIF value
of the goods, plus commission and other incidental charges and all customs
duties payable, if applicable.

Industry Standards

MINDEF is increasingly moving towards commercial-off-the-shelf
products/systems for better cost management/control and for longer through
life support.

MINDEF requires all tenderers to exclude the GST from their quotation rates
and prices. However, if a successful tenderer is registered as a taxable
person with the comptroller of GST, MINDEF will then reimburse the
successful tenderer any GST charges on articles or services provided.
Similarly, the tenderer must declare their GST status in their tender.

The tenderer is also required to provide end-user certificates and/or
export approvals from their relevant government to satisfy export
requirements, especially for sensitive military goods.

Marketing your products and services

Market entry

As the government-linked organisation, STE is viewed as a strategic partner
of MINDEF/SAF, co-operation with STE companies is advantageous.

STE has a depth of financial strength and management expertise. STE
companies actively work with MINDEF to compete and source the best
technological and cost-effective systems. They act as distributors/agents
or go into a joint venture with potential suppliers to bid for MINDEF
tenders or even overseas projects.

Besides the STE Group, the main player in the defence business, there are
about more than 20 privately owned companies also supplying defence-related
products to MINDEF. The products marketed by these companies are normally
non-security sensitive in nature, such as trucks, apparel, combat boots,
etc.

All MINDEF projects are gazette on either public or closed tender basis or
by sole-source procurement.

In-country support is preferred, either via local partnership or own
subsidiary

Identifying appropriate contacts within MINDEF/DSTA can be a challenge

Austrade can assist/facilitate access to market and identify local
partners and can help put you on a faster track into the market

Distribution channels

MINDEF does not publicly announce or publish their capital acquisition
plans in advanced, due to regional sensitivities and security
considerations. However, non-sensitive requirements are publicly announced
for open tenders in the Government Business Information website.

Knowledge of impending capital projects is sourced through contacts within
MINDEF and the defence industry.

Transport

Transportation by road of military ordnance and munitions must be carried
out by Singapore Police Force-approved contractors and must be escorted by
at all times by armed security personnel.

Movement of these items are usually made in the middle of the night to
minimise disruption to public and exposure.

Please note: this list of websites and resources is not definitive.
Inclusion in this list does not imply endorsement by Austrade. The
information provided is a guide only.

Please note: This list of websites and resources is not definitive. Inclusion in this list does not imply endorsement by Austrade. The information provided is a guide only. The content is for information and carries no warranty; as such, the addressee must exercise their own discretion in its use. Australia’s anti-bribery laws apply overseas and Austrade will not provide business related services to any party who breaches the law and will report credible evidence of any breach. For further information, please see foreign bribery information and awareness pack.

Working in partnership with Australian state and territory governments, Austrade provides information and advice that can help Australian companies reduce the time, cost and risk of exporting. We also administer the Export Market Development Grant Scheme and offer a range of services to Australian exporters in growth and emerging markets.